From the NFRW Armed Services Committee

By Christine Benedict

Tucked away between the anniversary of a famous military campaign (D-Day, June 6, 1944) and American Independence Day is a lesser-known yet significant day that doesn’t get as much publicity. National Flag Day is June 14, the date that the national flag was officially adopted 246 years ago in 1777.

In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as the official date for Flag Day, and in 1949 the U.S. Congress permanently established the date as National Flag Day. Although Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, Pennsylvania celebrates the day as a state holiday. Each year the U.S. president delivers an address that proclaims the week of June 14th as National Flag Week, and all Americans are encouraged to fly U.S. flags during that week.

The meaning of the American Flag was a lot different when the original banner was designed in 1776. Despite all the symbolism it has acquired over the years, the flag wasn’t actually created to be a symbol of patriotism. Rather, though patriotism levels were high during the American Revolution, flags were seen as articles of military equipment that were essential for identification and communication. 

We raised our flags September 11, 2001, and flew them proudly. Our flags stand tall as we leave our mark on foreign soil. Each year, Americans across the nation unfurl their flags on Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Flag Day. For some, the Stars and Stripes decorates their porch all year as a daily reminder of what it means to be an American.

We hope that each of you will fly your flags June 14.